Every application to Ontario's 21 universities goes through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC), but the stream you use depends on who you are. This guide breaks down the 101, 105D, and 105F applications so you submit through the right one the first time.
OUAC 101: Ontario High School Students
You are a Group A (101) applicant if all of the following are true: you are currently enrolled in an Ontario high school, you are under 21 on December 31 of the application year, and you have (or are working toward) an OSSD with six 4U/M courses.
How 101 works
Your school provides a PIN code (typically distributed in the fall), which you use to create your OUAC account. Your Ontario Education Number (OEN) links to your transcript, so grades are sent automatically by your school. You then select your programs, with up to three covered by the base fee. Read our OUAC System Deep Dive for the full step-by-step walkthrough.
OUAC 105: Everyone Else
If you do not meet the Group A criteria, you are a Group B (105) applicant. The stream splits in two:
105D: Canadian applicants outside Ontario
For Canadian citizens and permanent residents not currently in an Ontario high school: students in other provinces, Canadians returning from abroad, postsecondary transfer students, and mature students. There is no PIN; you create an account directly and arrange to send your own transcripts.
105F: International students
For students who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Expect extra steps: credential evaluation (such as WES), proof of English proficiency, and financial documentation. Processing takes longer, so apply early. Our International Student Guide covers study permits and document requirements in detail.
Fees and Deadlines
The base application fee covers three program choices (approximately $150), with each additional program around $50. If you face financial hardship, ask about fee waivers: through your guidance counselor for 101, or directly with universities for 105.
Applications open in October, and the equal-consideration deadline falls in mid-January. Final and document deadlines vary by university and program, and some programs set earlier deadlines for international students, so verify every date in your list. New to the process? Start with Getting Started and check the Academic Requirements chapter for prerequisites and average calculations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest one: applying through the wrong applicant group. Others include missing deadlines, incomplete applications across university portals, wrong program codes, payment issues, and not monitoring email. After you submit, keep your OUAC Reference Number safe and check each university's portal regularly.
Not Sure Which Stream Fits You?
Our peer advisers went through OUAC recently and can walk you through your exact situation before you pay an application fee.